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Buried downspouts can freeze during cold weather as cold water runs through them. If you’ve discovered your downspouts are frozen, you can carefully pour hot water down the top of the downspout to defrost them. If that doesn’t work, you may need to dig your downspout back up. Avoid trying to break the ice from the exterior using a hammer as this can cause cracks and damage to your downspout.

To avoid freezing the future, consider adding a heating cable to the exterior, which can adjust heat based on the surrounding temperature.

How you stop water from leaking between your gutters and fascia depends on the cause of the leak. Some leaks can be fixed simply by cleaning out clogged gutters or downspouts. Other leaks require you to seal holes or cracks in your gutters. Meanwhile, some leaks are a structural issue that requires replacing, changing, or adjusting your gutter system.

You may have a clogged gutter. Downspouts can also clog if your gutter collects too much debris. Hire a professional gutter cleaner, and if you still have problems, install a gutter guard (which prevents debris from entering your gutter system) and a downspout extension (which helps drain water further away from your foundation, so it doesn't pool near your house). Follow these tips to keep your gutter downspouts clean.

On average, gutters need to be replaced every 20 years. Unprotected gutters in more extreme weather conditions are more prone to breaking and may need to be replaced sooner. Meanwhile, proper maintenance can extend your gutter’s life span even further. That said, proper installation, gutter hangers to provide additional support, and gutter guards or helmets all play an important role in how long your gutters last.